Let babies cry it out?

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - The sound of a baby's cry is hard for anyone to hear; especially for their parents.

But new research suggests letting your baby cry it out is actually better for them.

"Mothers who rush to their babies in the middle of the night because they are crying are doing a disservice to their babies. They're interfering with their babies ability to learn to self soothe and go back to sleep," said Doctor Marsha Weinraub, psychologist.

There are always conflicting views on the best way to raise a child; but one local doctor says letting a baby cry it out, should never happen.

"When a baby has the ability to be comforted and soothed and picked up and held and fed on a regular basis, it learns that the world emotionally is a safe place for it," said Doctor Madge Becker, doctor of education.

The research may offer results for babies as they grow, but Dr. Becker says she's most concerned about the age of the child being studied rather than the idea of self-soothing itself.

"The study that is mostly concerning for me is when we talk about this before the ages of 8 months, we don't know the harm that this may cause," said Dr. Becker.

At the end of the day, it's important to remember both the study and her opinions on it are just observations.

It's up to parents to do their own research and make their down decisions.

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